Bayern Munich prepares for the classic against Borussia Dortmund with a special note: French winger MichaelOlise dedicated a Panenka-style penalty to the new Ballon d'Or winner, Harry Kane, during the German Cup match against Magdeburg. The gesture, which turned into a 6‑1 goal for the Bavarians in the round of 16, was accompanied by a smile and a wink that left the Munich team's fans with a feeling of camaraderie and celebration.
The “Klassiker” takes place this Saturday in the Bundesliga, with both teams tied on 17 points at the top of the table. Bayern maintains the advantage over Dortmund thanks to a goal difference of +19 to +8, and the Bavarian club has won the rival in the last five meetings. The rivalry intensifies when you consider that Dortmund have not achieved a victory over Bayern in the last five head-to-head meetings.
In the match against Magdeburg, Olise stood out not only with the penalty, but also with a double and an assist, consolidating himself as the ninth winner of the Ballon d'Or. HarryKane, for his part, was on the bench during that match, although his presence was crucial at the Ballon d'Or gala on Monday, where the Frenchman was among the first to hug the England captain when he won the award.
Olise's gesture after the penalty was a moment of humor and respect. After putting the ball in the goal, the Frenchman smiled and pointed at Kane, who responded with a laugh. The relationship between both players is evident, and the moment became a reminder of the friendship that transcends competition.
Meanwhile, Bayern are facing the absence of Vincent Kompany, who is recovering from meningitis. Assistant coach AaronDanks has taken over during Kompany's recovery period. The club has not announced a specific date for Kompany's return, but it is expected that his return will be postponed until at least after the national teams.
With the “Klassiker” just around the corner, Bayern Munich seeks to consolidate its leading position in the Bundesliga and celebrate the success of its international players. The match against Borussia Dortmund promises to be an intense duel, with history and rivalry adding an extra layer of excitement to the contest.